The Ranch 99 Experience

Today after playing racquetball I went to Ranch 99 to pick up some bowls and gatorade. I guess the name is actually “99 Ranch,” but I have always called it Ranch 99. There were a few things about this trip that were different than previous trips. 1. It was busier than I’ve ever seen it. It was a saturday morning, I guess that makes sense. 2. In the soy sauce area there was a woman (I want to call her a “gringo” or “gaijin,” but neither specifically applies. She was speaking in a “tour guide” voice to a group of a dozen or so people–largely gringos. Was this a cooking class on a field trip? Is there such a thing as a “Ranch 99 101 class?” (And if so, what are the prerequisities and how many units is it worth?) Was this sanctioned by Ranch 99? I sort of wish I had “poked my head in” and asked one of the students. I’m presuming it was a cooking class. Additionally, I had a fun moment at checkout when one of the bowls I bought had no price on it. Pricecheck at Ranch 99! The older (maybe 50’s) Chinese woman sent the teenage Mexican-American kid to get the price. He came back and told her the price ($2.69) but she could not understand his accent, so he wrote it out for her — though he had trouble with making the “9.” The experience of Ranch 99 is always different, and always fascinating. Leah always enjoys the little custard-filled corn cakes.

One thing I did that was different was I picked up a six-pack of San Miguel Beer. San Miguel is the most famous beer of the Philippines, and I remember seeing the ads - tv and print - but of course as a minor, I never tried it. So now I get to try it out. I’m hoping it’s good stuff. I’m not much of a beer fan, but I am an experience junky. I like trying stuff I never tried before. The fruits of these experiences include Pocky, Sushi, Motzah Ball Soup, Arepas, Lumpia, Pancit, Cuban Lechon, Nutella, Bagels & Lox, Soyrizo, Botan Rice Candy, Ting Ting Jahe Ginger Candy, Pan Dulce, Udon Noodles, Pho, and Sake.

It’s amazing how many different flavors there are in the world. Even more amazing how many can be had right here in San Diego.